Last night in Mill Valley, it was pretty clear that some interested parties think management of Golden Gate National Recreation Area has gone to the dogs, and not in a good way.
At the first of four public meetings set up by the GGNRA, dog owners howled their dismay over the agency's draft Dog Management Plan, which will prohibit off-leash dog walking in some areas that currently allow it.
The purpose of the plan, GGNRA says, is to "promote the preservation and protection of natural and cultural resources and natural processes" and "provide a variety of visitor experiences, improve visitor and employee safety, and reduce user conflicts."
Dog owners are not on board. From the Chronicle report on yesterday's meeting:
Dog lovers unleashed their frustration Wednesday as hundreds of people crowded into the first open house to discuss the Golden Gate National Recreation Area's voluminous management plan for man's best friend.
About two dozen protesters, trailing 10 or more collared companions, waved picket signs outside the meeting while many inside complained about a proposal by the recreation area to close four of six locations in Marin County where pet owners are now allowed to let their dogs off-leash.